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Security News
Hard times for hackers: malware writer sends hidden Zbot message to Avira
Tue, 08 July 2008
Avira’s virus analysts discover a personal message in a new variant of the Zbot family
Tettnang, 8 July 2008 – “Hello stupid developers of Avira AntiVir. You can use this string as signature of this PE=). RZSD.” This is a hidden message from a frustrated hacker in the latest version of Zbot malware. Avira is giving hackers a hard time due to the high detection rate of Avira’s anti-virus software. Hackers are confronted with a major challenge to develop malware in such a way that it can cause damage without being discovered. “We have been observing and analyzing Zbot’s development and spread for sometime now and have developed generic and heuristic detection routines, explains Alexander Vukcevic, manager of Avira’s virus lab. “These detection methods are practically impossible to be bypassed – our customers are protected against new Zbot variants in real-time.”
AV-Comparatives have recently awarded a prize to the independent test lab for its proactive detection performance. During the test, the heuristic detection methods spotted 90 percent of all new Windows viruses, 71 percent of unknown worms, 79 percent of the newly generated backdoors and 69 percent of the current Trojans. “This research shows again that our team is on the right track with our solution’s research and development and that we can provide our customers with reliable protection against the continually increasing danger of viruses and malware”, explains Vukcevic.
Avira’s AHeAD technology (Advanced Heuristic Analysis and Detection) proactively detects unknown malware; this means before a special detection sample against the harmful program has been created. The heuristics establish if the file is harmful or virulent by means of the file constitution, the sequence of significant codes or determined behavior samples with the utmost probability. For the user this system means maximum security – Avira’s anti-virus software does not only protect against currently known harmful programs, but also against future malware. Good news for our users, bad news for the malicious virus writers.
About Avira
Avira is a worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With more than twenty years of experience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.
The security expert has several locations in Germany and partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang near Lake Constance, Avira is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 180 employees. Worldwide more than 250 persons are employed and their work regularly wins awards. Avira AntiVir Personal, used by millions of private users, represents a significant contribution to security.
Avira’s national and international customers include renowned corporations listed on the stock exchange but also educational institutions and public authorities. In addition to protection of the virtual environment, Avira also provides for more protection and security in the real world by supporting the Auerbach Foundation. Established by the founder of the company, the Auerbach Foundation promotes charitable and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.
Contact:
Avira GmbH
Elisabeth Rothbart
Lochhamer Schlag 5a
D-82166 Graefelfing/Munich
Phone: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 17
Fax: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 20
Email:
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